News

Traders will be cut off by road closure

BUSINESSES in Gorse Hill are up in arms over a road closure that they say could force them to shut down.

Signs have gone up warning drivers that Cricklade Road will be closed to motorists for three weeks from Sunday, March 3.

Traders say their customers may not be able to reach them during the planned closure, and in the difficult economic times, it could be the final straw for some.

On behalf of Swindon Council, Swindon Commercial Services Ltd intends to start maintenance and resurfacing works on the road between the Transfer Bridge roundabout to just past the junction of Edinburgh Street.

The works are proposed to be carried out in four phases across three weeks, weather permitting, between 8am and 6pm.

Business owners were surprised that the whole road will be closed to traffic and have asked the council to look at alternative arrangements that would not have such a detrimental impact.

Peter Johnson, owner of PC’s Computer Systems, said: “There has been no consultation. The first time we heard about it was a letter on the doorstep.

“I understand the work has to be done but there should have been some consultation with businesses and some way to get around closing the whole road.

“It is a very tough time for businesses and this could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for some.”

Shehzad Hussein, manager of Gorse Hill Dry Cleaners, says he is concerned customers will be unable to park and visit his shop.

He said: “It is not going to be good for business, a lot of business is reliant on the car.

“I don’t know why they are closing all the road – you think they would put lights in, or open one side of the road.”

Some businesses are already preparing for the closure, including Pete Doné of Jensons who is making sure that his suppliers get their supplies to him before the planned works.

He said: “I had a chat with the guy in charge of the works and he has said they have to close the whole road because of the size of these vehicles, they can’t just do one side at a time.

“If the work was not carried out on the roads then they would turn into a state and would be unsafe to drive on.”

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “The road will be closed for resurfacing, but we will also be carrying out improvements to the kerbs and drainage.

“Advance notice signs have already been put up to warn motorists of the forthcoming closure and there will be diversion signs in place. There will be residential access where possible.

“We appreciate there will be disruption to traders and motorists, which is why we have opted to phase the work to minimise any problems.

“Although the road will be closed, the pedestrian pathways will remain open throughout both phases of the work and motorists will still be able to use Chapel Street car park, which is free, if they want to visit premises along Cricklade Road affected by the closure.”

Comments (19)

How on earth can this council think traders can get deliveries or deliver goods they have sold?
Good grief--they cannot get their facts straight as they claim at first its 4 phases then at the bottom say its 2.
More bungling buffoonery threatening the livelihoods of many--no busses to service the area either.

How on earth can this council think traders can get deliveries or deliver goods they have sold?
Good grief--they cannot get their facts straight as they claim at first its 4 phases then at the bottom say its 2.
More bungling buffoonery threatening the livelihoods of many--no busses to service the area either.itsamess3

Ill give it a 7/10 classic adver pose, are they told to do that for every pic?! ha

I think the convincing grimace makes it a 9/10.

[quote][p][bold]roberto5[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]stu2010[/bold] wrote:
Classic arms crossed stance there[/p][/quote]Ill give it a 7/10 classic adver pose, are they told to do that for every pic?! ha[/p][/quote]I think the convincing grimace makes it a 9/10.MrAngry

I can understand why the planing out and surfacing requires the road to be closed, but this can only account for about 3 days work.

The kerbing and drainage might take longer but this probably could be done with the road open and controlled by signals.

On the other hand, it is becoming common practice to exagerate the time to complete the works, to allow for over runs or make the contractor look good if they complete early.

I can understand why the planing out and surfacing requires the road to be closed, but this can only account for about 3 days work.
The kerbing and drainage might take longer but this probably could be done with the road open and controlled by signals.
On the other hand, it is becoming common practice to exagerate the time to complete the works, to allow for over runs or make the contractor look good if they complete early.MrAngry

Hopefully they will resurface ermin street next that is the worst road in swindon and is an absolute disgrace,and I for one would not care how long they close if for as long as they do a proper job.

Hopefully they will resurface ermin street next that is the worst road in swindon and is an absolute disgrace,and I for one would not care how long they close if for as long as they do a proper job.Mushymushy

It is all well and good people saying that these people are whingers but business is hard enough at the moment and this could be a real problem for these folks. It does seem that every road in Swindon is being closed for roadworks at the moment in the usual end of the FY scramble to do such work. It does beg the question what do all these workers do for the rest of the year.

It is all well and good people saying that these people are whingers but business is hard enough at the moment and this could be a real problem for these folks. It does seem that every road in Swindon is being closed for roadworks at the moment in the usual end of the FY scramble to do such work. It does beg the question what do all these workers do for the rest of the year.peatmoor pirate

STOP MOANING ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ROADS THEN. Have you seen how much they've got to cut next year? Millions. I live on Akers Way with a road surface not out out of place in a post Soviet hell hole. Count yourselves lucky.

STOP MOANING ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ROADS THEN. Have you seen how much they've got to cut next year? Millions. I live on Akers Way with a road surface not out out of place in a post Soviet hell hole. Count yourselves lucky.Bimbosforjustice

And talking of roadworks, does anyone know why part of Ferndale Road between St Mary's Grove and North Star was closed for roadworks today? Had the road collapsed or something?

First I knew about it and other drivers, including an ambulance was when you got down to the traffic lights to find the whole road closed.

Were diverted up the side alleys, thought would just have to go up the alley then turn left to get back onto Ferndale Road but they had a van deliberately blocking that road as well so had to go further on. Was a complete nightmare as very little space for anything bigger than a Mini to turn left. Most of the bigger cars, including mine had to manouevre to get round.

There were no warning signs anywhere in Pinehurst Road/St Mary's Grove and it's bad before even the Ambulance Service didn't know about it. Their driver turned round and went back up Pinehurst Road.

Can't believe there was and still is nothing in the Adver about it either.

And talking of roadworks, does anyone know why part of Ferndale Road between St Mary's Grove and North Star was closed for roadworks today? Had the road collapsed or something?
First I knew about it and other drivers, including an ambulance was when you got down to the traffic lights to find the whole road closed.
Were diverted up the side alleys, thought would just have to go up the alley then turn left to get back onto Ferndale Road but they had a van deliberately blocking that road as well so had to go further on. Was a complete nightmare as very little space for anything bigger than a Mini to turn left. Most of the bigger cars, including mine had to manouevre to get round.
There were no warning signs anywhere in Pinehurst Road/St Mary's Grove and it's bad before even the Ambulance Service didn't know about it. Their driver turned round and went back up Pinehurst Road.
Can't believe there was and still is nothing in the Adver about it either.Moth